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For local students headed to prom, the dress is the thing

Addison Tippett, Caroline Teagarden, Mary Catherine Hydrick and Catherine Kenyon show off their prom dresses. These give almost the full range of what's hot this year. Addison has the high-low look, while Caroline and Mary Catherine go for the long gowns. Catherine has a short dress with a sequined bodice.

Addison Tippett, a Greenbrier High School senior, has a dress with lots of sequins, and it's shorter in the front.

Catherine Kenyon will wear a short dress with a sequined bodice to Evans' High School's prom on April 27.

Prom is one of the most highly anticipated school-related events in a high school student’s career, and for Brynn Allen, a sophomore at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, a huge focal point of prom is the dress.

“You look forward to doing it because you get to dress up and be Cinderella,” said Brynn, who plans to wear a short and sassy black dress for Davidson’s prom on April 20 at the school.

This year’s prom fashions span a wide range of styles and pinning down one specific trend is tough, according to some formal wear experts.

Some of the hot looks, according to Joyce Brown, co-owner of Visions and Vows Bridal on Shartom Drive, are the “high-low” dresses, which are shorter in front and longer in back. Long gowns are always popular, in addition to short dresses with sequined bodices. Other dresses are more simple, without any bling.

Catherine Kenyon, a senior at Evans High School, opted for the short look. Her royal blue dress has a sequined bodice.

“Short is the way to go,” said Catherine, who feels her dress fits her personality better than a long gown.

Addison Tippett combined several popular features in her red gown. Because of her Mormon faith, Tippett, a Greenbrier High School senior, needed a more modest dress. So strapless was out for her, but she wanted bling.

The dress has cap sleeves and lots of sequins in the bodice and the front is slightly shorter than the back.

Addison didn’t attend her prom last year and said she’s ready for this year’s gala on April 20 at The Richmond on Greene.

“I wanted to go last year, and I regretted not going,” said Addison. “It’s one of those quintessential experiences.”

Addison and her friend Caroline Teagarden said they plan to make it a fun night and want to enjoy the entire Cinderella experience. They plan to head to the salon for manicures and to have their hair styled for the event.

Caroline also opted for a long gown because she considers it more “elegant” than a short one.

Another trend this season is Hollywood glamor, and Kaitlin Clements, a senior at Evans High School, has opted for that route with her dress.

“I bought the first one I saw. It’s gold and has lots of sparkles and stuff,” said Kaitlin, whose dress should fit in well at Evans’ April 27 prom at the school.